Modular brew systems

Abstract

A modular brewing system is described for providing hot water and managing power to multiple brew tower modules using a single centralized boiler and power management module so as to limit the number of high-power circuits required in a coffeehouse or store. The boiler and power management module manages power of components of the centralized boiler assembly and any brew tower modules connected thereto, including the boiler heaters, the grinder motors, and the brew chamber heaters.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of facilitating brewing of coffee using a modular brew system, the method comprising:
 heating water in a boiler assembly of a base module of the modular brew system; 
 supplying a first portion of the heated water to a first brew chamber of a first brew tower module of the modular brew system to facilitate preparation of a first coffee beverage within the first brew chamber of the first brew tower module, 
 supplying a second portion of the heated water to a second brew chamber of a second brew tower module of the modular brew system to facilitate preparation of a second coffee beverage within the second brew chamber of the second brew tower module, 
 wherein the first brew tower module, the second brew tower module, and the base module comprise separate structural units; and 
 providing power allocation supplied by a single high power circuit to the base module and the first brew tower module, and simultaneously providing power to the base module and the second brew tower module, wherein providing the power allocation is performed by a common master controller of the base module. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first brew tower module and the second brew tower module each comprise a grinder assembly configured to grind coffee beans into grounds of a particular size. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein supplying the first portion of the heated water to the first brew chamber comprises delivering at least 2 ounces of heated water per second to the first brew chamber and wherein supplying the second portion of the heated water to the second brew chamber comprises delivering at least 2 ounces of heated water per second to the second brew chamber. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the power allocation comprises diverting power from one or more heating elements of the boiler assembly of the base module to one or more components of at least one of the first brew tower module and the second brew tower module. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first brew tower module and the second brew tower module are not powered separately by an electrical outlet. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the power allocation comprises operating the first brew tower module and the second brew tower module simultaneously.